Prevailing prayer means intercessory prayer that works!

This witnessing testimony was shared in a discussion post in the Christian Witnessing Works group on facebook, which you are invited to join! It demonstrates how God can turn the most adverse circumstances into witnessing opportunities. The post came in response to a reply that God cannot used depressed ambassadors. She resonded and subsequently gave me permission to post here. You can find links to my essays on witnessing at the Christian Witnessing Works page on this path2prayer.com web site.

I don't agree with you about God can that cannot use a depressed ambassador .. think we must be careful .. there is a huge difference between being depressed because of attitude and because of chemicals .. and also God can use anything or any one no matter what, He is all powerful!

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 1 Peter3: 7-8

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘ The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.This was the LORD’s doing,And it is marvelous in our eyes’? Matthew 21:42

[ The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People ] Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 1 Peter 2:4

There is also a verse that state that even the stones will cry out.. can not find it right now

The point is, it matters not in what state we are (because we all are sinners), God can use us ~ we need to be willing though.

I was depressed chemically (still am, but thank you to medication I believe God provided and I’m doing well) and even in the worse levels of the chemical depression, God worked miracles to reach people through me. Because God knew my heart and understood what was going on in my body. But if I not been sick, I would have never have been in the clinic where I was, would never have met a young lady, only 15 (I was then 23) who refused to talk to anybody and kept on trying to end her life.

We had the same surname, but were not related at all. For some reason I was drawn to her and everyday would just go and sit by her and tell her” I wish I had a sister .. she could be my sister if she wanted to be even if she never talked....” After a few weeks she nodded her head and so we became none-speaking sisters. I would sit by her and show her pictures I had drawn or poems I'd written. Two months later she spoke all of a sudden and said I am going to tell you something you will never believe but that is okay I am going to tell you.... In short, she shared with me how she watched her dad drown when she was about 5 (she told me I would understand that as I had shared with her that I witnessed a murder at the age of 4/5) ... Her mom re-married and her step dad had raped her on a daily basis (she also thought I would understand because I shared with her that at age 8 I was gang-raped)

But then she said .. the next part you will not believe and cannot relate too.... She told me how she walked in a park, how a beautiful man knew her name and talked with her and invited her to join his club .. She did .. and then discovered that he was Satan and she worshiped him .. did horrible things in the process .. At age 14 she wanted out .. he said it was fine, but they needed to punish her first ... She told me what it was .. and it is too horrible to share here... but she then was free to go .. she thought God would never ever accept her back and she was finished with life ...

I just cried and hugged her and then I heard myself speak, but like it was not me .. if He can love me who is this nuts then so much more can and does He love you! ... it led up to her giving me permission to talk to her doctor and share with him what she shared with me .. She refused to talk to the doctors directly, but always through me ..

Six months from the day I was admitted I walked out, without any form of medication .. The doctors words were .. Willa this is a miracle as I was classified Article 60 (in SA it means that only a judge of the court and appointed doctor can release you). And they did.

I faced many traumatic experiences even after this ... In 2003 I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder syndrome and the funny stuff that goes along with it ... when I was the most sick, I even stated that there was no God!!! ... But after a long and difficult road surrounded by positive friends and a great medical team and the grace of God, I am well. Yip, need to drink one tiny little tablet a day .. but doing well. And in spite of this God uses me to reach out to people ...

I agree with you and Dan that thanksgiving and attitude! It is very important, even for the chemical depressed person!

However, be careful not to create a message that God cannot use depressed ambassadors or sinners or what ever!

First, with a message like that we limit God - He is all powerful! He will even use stones if He needs too!

Secondly people who are sick and feeling bad already feel depressed and like they cannot be of any worth. By saying God cannot use them, you are confirming their unfounded belief and therefore dooming them to nothing!

I hope that I did not create a message that depression (chemical or emotional) can be use as an excuse for bad behavior or choices as it is not!

Just as God is willing to use us the way we are as long as we are willing, He has also provided wisdom to deal with all matters wisely :-)

We also need to be careful for emotional uplifts .. very dangerous ..

Would rather say we need to have a inner peace ... no matter what the circumstances .... Knowing that God is in control we can thank Him for all things!

I am thankful for the trials and traumas of my life, as it is these things that made me weak, but a strong tool in God's grace :-)